League of Legends Fans Slam Riot Over Lackluster Alistar Battle Pass Skin

League of Legends players are calling out Riot Games for what they consider an uninspired battle pass skin for Alistar. Rather than a fresh, exciting design, the skin is being criticized as a simple recolor with minimal effort, leaving fans frustrated and questioning Riot’s priorities.

Alistar Skin Controversy Sparks Backlash

The battle pass system in League of Legends is a core part of Riot’s monetization strategy, providing players with exclusive skins and rewards. However, the latest battle pass reward for Alistar has sparked controversy, as many believe it lacks creativity and effort. Fans were expecting something new after waiting years for an Alistar skin, but instead, they received what appears to be a minor texture change rather than a full-fledged cosmetic upgrade.

What’s Wrong With the New Alistar Skin?

The controversy began when a Reddit user posted a side-by-side comparison of Alistar’s new battle pass skin against his default look. The differences? A slight color shift, a new purple tank top, and a red-tinted hairstyle changes that many fans feel are too minor to be considered a proper skin.

The post quickly went viral, with players flooding the comments to express their frustration. Many compared it to Enchanted Galio, a low-effort retexture from 2010, arguing that Riot had long since moved past such basic skins until now.

Some fans even pointed out that Unchained Alistar, a free skin from years ago, offered more visual distinction with larger horns and spiked gauntlets, making this latest battle pass skin feel like a major downgrade.

Are Riot’s Layoffs Impacting Skin Quality?

The uproar over Alistar’s battle pass skin has also reignited concerns about Riot Games’ recent layoffs. While it’s unclear exactly how these staff reductions have affected League of Legends, players suspect that the drop in skin quality is no coincidence.

One Reddit user summed up the sentiment, writing, “The artist layoffs have been really obvious ever since they happened.” Others pointed out that it’s not just League of Legends—Valorant has also seen a noticeable decline in cosmetic quality.

Players Call for a Battle Pass Boycott

Beyond the Alistar skin, League of Legends players are growing increasingly frustrated with Riot’s monetization changes. The removal of Hextech chests and less rewarding battle passes have led to widespread calls for a boycott.

One Reddit user urged players to stop supporting low-quality cosmetics, saying, “Considering the insanely low effort put into the battle passes, I hope everybody votes with their wallets every time a new one releases.”

Also Read: Marvel Rivals Mid-Season Update: Human Torch New Skin, The Thing & New Central Park Map

As of now, Riot Games has not officially responded to the backlash. Whether they’ll make adjustments or continue on their current path remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: players expect better.